This
year’s September is not like any other September. Because, it’s time to dive
into the sea called EDSA!
On
September 1st-2nd 2018, EDSA’s annual orientation program
namely DATE (Days with EDSA, or previously known as Gathering Night) was held. The
event was held to give the new family members–the freshmen–insights about
campus life in EDSA. It was very important for them to join the program, as not
only they could know their ‘home’ better, but it was also meant to develop stronger
bond between freshmen, seniors, and alumni. Actually, DATE would not feel like
any other orientation program, because, you know, it was a date!
The
start of the ‘diving’ was on Saturday, September 1st 2018. The first
activity was Share to Care (STC), which was intended to introduce EDSA as a big
family that has many successful members. In STC, EDSA alumni shared their
experience when they were still active in EDSA, as well as when they graduated
and faced the real world. It helped the freshmen to ease their anxiety about
being English Department graduate in the future. Afterwards, there were also activities
called CARAKA and Organization Life Training (OLT) to provide more information
about EDSA and the organization life.
CARAKA
was an activity which focused on EDSA’s history. The freshmen could get to know
more about BPH EDSA, the divisions, the achievements, and the people behind
EDSA’s glory. Meanwhile, Organization Life Training (OLT) gave insights of
organization life and how to conduct EDSA’s annual events. Here, the freshmen
were trained to explore their creativity by making an outline of EDSA’s events
and presenting it in front of all the participants. Hence, the program might
give them idea about EDSA’s events and they might eventually join them.
After
all the sharing time, Games was a perfect choice to end the first day of the
diving. All of the participants, including seniors and alumni joined to have
some fun. They played some water games, so that everyone could feel the sea
vibe. There were Human Knot, Marble in the Pipe, Tallest Paper Building, Blow
the Ball, and many more. Other than to have fun, the games were also meant to remind
them about teamwork, patience, strategy, and other skills that will be needed
in campus life. So, in one activity, they got the fun, the bonding, and the
values!
The
second day was started with morning exercise. Everyone enjoyed the exercise with
up-to-date songs and fun instructions. After all participants got the sweat,
the next activities were Perkenalan Senior Junior (PSJ) and Campus Life
Training (CLT). Because there were so many seniors that EDSA have, DATE made
certain activity for the freshmen and the seniors to get to know each other. In
PSJ, both the freshmen and the seniors could ask about anything, such as EDSA
in the past, EDSA at the moment, each other’s struggles, and so on. These
activities also aimed to expand the freshmen’s network.
In
the meantime, Campus Life Training (CLT) focused on campus life and what
students need to be aware of. The material was presented by EDSA alumni and
lecturers. As a freshman, it takes time to adapt with campus life and its struggles.
In CLT, the freshmen could share their campus life problem such as time
management, making friends, facing lecturers, etc. Then, the alumni and
lecturers gave them solution and tips so they would not get confused and
stressed out anymore, especially for students from outside Surabaya.
The
peak of DATE was Reflection and Initiation. It was such a quiet and solemn
time. The freshmen were asked to reflect on themselves and others, about what
kind of person they want to be in the future. While in Initiation, it was time
for the seniors and alumni to officially welcome them to EDSA UNAIR. All of the
seniors and alumni gave EDSA pin to the freshmen, to represent that since then,
EDSA’s future depends on all of us, including the freshmen. To make it fun, the
senior and alumni blew orange-colored holy powder to the freshmen, continued
with singing EDSA Hymn together. It was such a touching moment, and indeed,
memorable to everyone.
After
all, DATE was not like any other orientation program. The seniors wanted the freshmen
to get the ‘dating’ vibes, like getting excited to meet new people, growing
interests in them, and getting attached with each other by heart. Also, once
they dive into the ‘sea’, they will stay there and explore as deep as they can.
And when they come out, they will not forget the fun and memories they have in
the ‘sea’. Because the ‘sea’, EDSA, is our home. Finally, we hope that the efforts
to get to know each other will not vanish easily and will last, even after
DATE.
DATE
2K18, Ride the Waves, Rule the Sea!
EDSA,
it’s our home!
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